Myron H. Bright Papers, 1968-2016

Myron H. Bright Papers

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Collection Overview

Title: Myron H. Bright Papers, 1968-2016

ID: OGLMC877

Primary Creator: Bright, Myron H. (1919-2016)

Extent: 0.0

Date Acquired: 07/18/1983. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Legal

Languages: English

Abstract

1919-2016; Judge on the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1968 to 2016

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Myron H. Bright Papers consist of Bright's chambers papers, which include correspondence and memoranda between Judge Bright and other judges, memoranda from his law clerks, oral argument and conference notes, and draft and final versions of rulings. The legal citation is indicated for most cases.

Judge Bright’s notable rulings included:

-the Reserve Mining cases 514 F.2d 492 (8th Cir. 1975): These cases upheld the right of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate corporate pollution, a practice unheard of before the lawsuit. Materials from these cases are found in Series 7 (Boxes 7 and 8), as well as Series 9 (Box 20) and Series 10 (Box 23).

-Chapman v. Meier 372 F. Supp. 371 (D.N.D. 1974): This case regarded the legality of federal court ordered reapportionment of the North Dakota Legislature. Materials from the case are found in Series 8 (Box 14).

-Walker v. Lockhart 726 F.2d 1238 (8^th Cir. 1984): This case freed a wrongly imprisoned, death row inmate after 23 years of confinement in Arkansas. Materials from the case are found in Series 15 (Box 51).

Collection Historical Note

"Myron H. Bright, 97, died peacefully on December 12, 2016 at the Eventide Fargo Senior Living Facility surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Myron was born March 5, 1919 to Morris and Lena Bright in Eveleth, MN. He and his four siblings grew up in the hearty Iron Range of northern Minnesota. The Bright family was a staple of the Jewish community in the Iron Range and Myron has maintained a deep connection and close ties to the area throughout his life.

Myron attended Eveleth High School and graduated from Eveleth Junior College before going on to the University of Minnesota for his undergraduate and law degrees. His college days were interrupted by World War II, during which he honorably served his country as a Captain in the Army Air Corps, stationed in India.

He met Frances (Fritzie) Reisler in 1945 and they were married December 1946. After Myron’s graduation from law school, the couple moved to Fargo, ND in 1947 where they would make their home for the next 71 years. They were “partners” in every sense of the word until Fritzie’s death in October 2000. Myron and Fritzie were active members of the Fargo community and were involved in Democratic politics locally and state wide.

Myron joined the law firm of Wattam, Vogel and Vogel which became Wattam, Vogel, Vogel, Bright and Peterson and is now known as Vogel Law Firm. He had a 21 year career as a successful trial attorney, representing a variety of clients throughout North Dakota and Minnesota.

In 1968 Myron was appointed as an Appellate Judge on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals for the United States by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Over the course of his judicial career, he presided over more than 7,000 cases and authored more than 3,000 opinions. He was famous for his ground-breaking rulings in the field of civil rights and employment discrimination. Judge Bright complemented his judicial career with a strong involvement in legal education. His awards and accolades are too numerous to mention here. At his death he was the longest serving jurist on the Eighth Circuit.

Myron and Fritzie purchased what has come to be known as the “Little Brown Cottage” on Lake Melissa in Detroit Lakes, MN in 1968. From that date to the present it has become the perennial summer home for the entire Bright clan. Myron’s summers at the Lake were not to be interfered with and all who visited were welcomed to enjoy the full Bright family hospitality. He enjoyed golfing at the Detroit Lakes CC, tennis and most especially, walleye fishing with family and friends. He was fond of bird watching at the Lake and quite serious about tending to his bird feeders. He and Fritzie were accomplished Bridge and Cribbage players, often hosting their friends for games of cards.

When he wasn’t working or at the Lake, you could find Myron behind the pages of any newspaper, the New Yorker or a good book. His mind never stopped. He had an incredible memory and the astonishing ability to recall the smallest details of events that took place years ago. He was a friend to all he met and a gift of wisdom and advice to all those who knew him.

Myron loved and cherished his family. He referred to them as “the family,” using a formal tone, as if it were an official title. “The family” included not only his immediate one, but also the more than 100 law clerks who served him during his 48 years on the bench. He looked forward with great anticipation to the law clerk reunions, which were held every 5 years during his time as a judge.

He was known by many titles; Judge, Myron, Mike, Dad, Pops and Poppop. One of his most prized titles was “author,” having written and published his autobiography, Goodbye Mike, Hello Judge: My Journey for Justice in 2014. He was an avid sports fan; following the NDSU Bison, UND, the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins. He was a supporter of the arts; including the FM Symphony and FM Opera. He was the oldest member of Temple Beth El.

He is survived by his family who loved him dearly; daughter, Dinah (Christian) Golding of Fargo, ND; son, Joshua Bright of Excelsior, MN; grandchildren; Amy (Jim) Long of Fargo, ND, Sarianne (Brock) Dickson of Harwood, ND and Adam (Kimberly) Schultz of Shorewood, MN; great-grandchildren; William Bright, Connor James and Henry Elliot Long, Collins Frances and Maxum Brock Dickson; Mason Myron and Addison Marie Schultz; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Bright; parents, Morris and Lena Bright; brothers, Leo Bright, Roy Bright and Joe Bright; and sister, Mabel Bright Manfield."

Source: http://boulgerfuneralhome.com/obituaries/judge-myron-bright/

Subject/Index Terms

Legal

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals:

Judge Bright made numerous additions:

May 1984 (84-1298); November 1985 (85-1424); May 1986 (85-1445); February 1988 (88-1581); August 1989 (89-1678); May 1990 (90-1698); September 1990; April 1991 (91-1745); October 1991 (91-1791); November 1992 (92-1851); October 1993 (93-1918); April 1995 (95-2012); November 1997 (97-2154); June 1999 (99-2359); August 1999 (99-2371); March 2000 (2000-2426); October 2001 (2001-2531); October 2002 (2002-2579); February 2003 (2003-2609); June 2005 (2005-2756); September 2006 (2006-2865); January 2009 (2009-2960); August 2009 (2009-2969); January 2012 (2012-3148); July 2014 (2014-3256); May 2016 (2016-3309); March 2017 (2017-3335).

The collection was closed until the death of Judge Myron Bright on December 12, 2016.

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Myron Bright, Fargo, North Dakota

Acquisition Method: Donation; 83-1167

Related Publications: Goodbye Mike, Hello Judge: My Journey for Justice. by Myron H. Bright. Fargo: Institute for Regional Studies Press, 2014.

Preferred Citation: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Processing of the collection began in 2022.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Biographical Material],
[Series 2: 1968],
[Series 3: 1969],
[Series 4: 1970],
[Series 5: 1971],
[Series 6: 1972],
[Series 7: 1973],
[Series 8: 1974],
[Series 9: 1975],
[Series 10: 1976],
[Series 11: 1977],
[Series 12: 1978],
[Series 13: 1979],
[Series 14: 1980],
[Series 15: 1981],
[Series 16: 1982],
[Series 17: 1983],
[Series 18: 1984],
[Series 19: 1985],
[Series 20: 1986],
[Series 21: 1987],
[Series 22: 1988],
[Series 23: 1989],
[Series 24: 1990],
[Series 25: 1991],
[Series 26: 1992],
[Series 27: 1993],
[Series 28: 1994],
[Series 29: 1995],
[Series 30: 1996],
[Series 31: 1997],
[Series 32: 1998],
[Series 33: 1999],
[Series 34: 2000],
[All]

Series 33: 1999

Box 122

Folder 23: 99-1021: Larry Gibbs v. Mike Kemna, et al.: 192 F.3d 1173 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 24: 99-1046: Audrey Montgomery, etc., et al. v. USA
Folder 25: 99-1086: In Re: Grand Jury Subpoena as to C97-216: 187 F.3d 996 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 26: 99-1126: USA v. Herman McGee
Folder 27: 99-1236: USA v. Reginald Chandler: 197 F.3d 1198 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 28: 99-1395: USA v. Steven Leene
Folder 29: 99-1442: USA v. Clifton Waters: 194 F.3d 926 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 30: 99-1444: USA v. Jerome Williams, etc.: 194 F.3d 886 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 31: 99-1484: Eileen Harrison v. Eldon Coffman, etc, et al.

Box 123

Folder 1: 99-1504: Continental Insurance Company v. Stewart Davis, et al.
Folder 2: 99-1551: The People of the State of Missouri, etc., et al. v. Harrah's - North Kansas City Corporation, etc., et al.
Folder 3: 99-1748: USA v. Paul Christmann: 193 F.3d 1023 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 4: 99-1760: Daniel Human v. Larry Rowley, et al.
Folder 5: 99-1773: USA v. Gilberto Alatorre
Folder 6: 99-1814/99-2436: Allen McKinney v. USA
Folder 7: 99-1876: Jerry Latture v. Remmington Arms Company, Inc., etc.
Folder 8: 99-1942: USA v. Miguel Hernanez-Avalon, etc.
Folder 9: 99-1952: In re: Inter-City Beverage Co., Inc., etc.
Folder 10: 99-2009/99-2089/99-2205: USA v. Jeffrey Askanazi, M.D.
Folder 11: 99-2105: The Prudential Insurance Company of America v. John Doe, et al.
Folder 12: 99-2170: Kathleen Burds, et al. v. Union Pacific Corporation, et al.
Folder 13: 99-2200: Jorge Martinez v. C.A. Turner, etc., et al.
Folder 14: 99-2226: Alexander Jones v. McDonnell Douglas Corporation
Folder 15: 99-2238: Juanita Embry, et al. v. Bob Lewis, etc., et al.
Folder 16: 99-2285: USA v. Reynaldo Tovar-Valdivia: 193 F.3d 1025 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 17: 99-2314: USA v. Marvin Wahl
Folder 18: 99-2382: Juanita Caldwell v. Holland of Texas, etc.
Folder 19: 99-2408: Richard Caw v. Kenneth Apfel, etc.
Folder 20: 99-2417: Bandag, Inc. v. Jack's Tire & Oil, Inc.: 190 F.3d 924 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 21: 99-2495: Rick Dwayne Nebinger, Sr. v. John Ault, etc., et al.
Folder 22: 99-2523/99-2916: Carleton College v. National Labor Relations Board
Folder 23: 99-2538: Iowa Management & Consultants, Inc. v. Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa, etc.
Folder 24: 99-2616: Leech Lake Tribal Council, etc. v. Washington National Insurance Company, etc., et al.
Folder 25: 99-2624: Martin Lindstedt v. City of Granby, et al.
Folder 26: 99-2630: Bennie Rozman, etc., et al. v. City of Columbia Heights, etc.
Folder 27: 99-2630: Bennie Rozman, etc., et al. v. City of Columbia Heights, et al.
Folder 28: 99-2709/99-2715: Stanley Pruitt v. USA
Folder 29: 99-2737: Donald Ostertag v. The Historic Theater Group, Ltd.
Folder 30: 99-2760/99-4302: John Peterson v. Kenneth Apfel, etc.
Folder 31: 99-2843: Robert Lyons, et al. v. Philip Morris Incorporated, et al.
Folder 32: 99-2855: Edwin Obafemi Prosper v. USA
Folder 33: 99-2913/99-3228: New World Communications, etc. v. National Labor Relations Board
Folder 34: 99-2963: USA v. Ralph Thompson, etc.
Folder 35: 99-3138: Stanbury Law Firm, P.A. v. IRS
Folder 36: 99-3148: USA v. Edward Willoughby
Folder 37: 99-3158: USA v. Juvenile TSB
Folder 38: 99-3162: Legion Insurance Company, et al. v. Patricia Hagge, et al.

Box 124

Folder 1: 99-3187: USA v. Raul Melecio-Rodriguez
Folder 2: 99-3198: Anton Carlson, et al. v. Cooperative Power Association
Folder 3: 99-3199: In re: USA, et al.
Folder 4: 99-3206/99-3394: H B&R, Inc. v. USA
Folder 5: 99-3248: Genon Crook, etc. v. Kaneb Pipe Line Operating, etc., et al.
Folder 6: 99-3280: USA v. Floriberto Estrada-Bahena, etc.
Folder 7: 99-3307: Wells Fargo & Company and Subsidiaries v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Folder 8: 99-3427: In re: State of Missouri
Folder 9: 99-3507: St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company v. Microsoft Corporation
Folder 10: 99-3561: Melynda Parish v. Gateway 2000, Inc.
Folder 11: 99-3585: USA v. Adrian Searcy
Folder 12: 99-3801: William Kiser, II v, City of Huron, South Dakota, et al.
Folder 13: 99-3829: In re: Dorholt, Inc. Dwight Lindquist, etc. v. Marjorie Dorholt
Folder 14: 99-4048: USA v. Tremayne Jackson
Folder 15: 99-4053: USA v. John Jackman
Folder 16: 99-4089: USA v. Frederick McKnight: 186 F.3d 867 (8th Cir. 1999)
Folder 17: 99-4094: Lonnie Foster v. James Helling, et al.
Folder 18: 99-4099/99-4341: In re: Arlene Otis / Arlene Otis v. Kenneth Apfel, etc.
Folder 19: 99-4138: Clyde Lawson v. Andrew Hulm, etc., et al.
Folder 20: 99-4140: USA v. Enoch Montaque
Folder 21: 99-4158: USA v. Noel Flores-Garcia
Folder 22: 99-4335: USA v. Jose Elias, Jr.
Folder 23: 99-9371: Daniel Presnick v. Edward Delaney, et al. (2nd Circuit)
Folder 24: 99-1167: USA v. Canice Dike (3rd Circuit)
Folder 25: 99-1610: Mario Singh v. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 26: 99-1644: Norman Jones v. The Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 27: 99-1645: Joyce Tatum v. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (3rd Circuit)
Folder 28: 99-1733: USA v. William Palmer (3rd Circuit)
Folder 29: 99-1734/99-1735: A&H Sportswear, Inc., et al. v. Victoria's Secret Stores, Inc., et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 30: 99-1754: Suzanne Morris v. Kenneth Apfel (3rd Circuit)
Folder 31: 99-1817: USA v. Claudio Placencio (3rd Circuit)
Folder 32: 99-3701: Christopher Furnari v. Warden, Allenwood Federal Correctional Institution, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 33: 99-3784: Wanda Cotton v. Louis Caldera (3rd Circuit)
Folder 34: 99-3812: Charles McKeown v. David Parsnik, et al. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 35: 99-3921: USA v. Geoffrey Burke (3rd Circuit)
Folder 36: 99-3942: USA v. Bryant Hammond, etc. (3rd Circuit)
Folder 37: 99-4021: USA v. David Mackins (3rd Circuit)
Folder 38: 99-1880: USA v. Curtis Pleasant (6th Circuit)
Folder 39: 99-2102/99-2447: Raymond Cochran, etc. v. Trans-General Life Insurance Compan, etc. (6th Circuit)
Folder 40: 99-4505: Frederick Tyrrell v. Norfolk Southern Railway Company (6th Circuit)
Folder 41: 99-5694: Howard Steverson v. Paul Summers (6th Circuit)
Folder 42: 99-6344: USA v. Ty Abbott (6th Circuit)

Box 125

Folder 1: 99-10049: USA v. Michael Enas (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 2: 99-10049: USA v. Michael Enas (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 3: 99-10094: USA v. James Miller (9th Circuit)
Folder 4: 99-10098: USA v. Johnna Walter (9th Circuit)
Folder 5: 99-10127: USA v. Steven Nelson (9th Circuit)
Folder 6: 99-10621: USA v. Marcel Waldron (9th Circuit)
Folder 7: 99-15319: Ron McNiel, Sr. v. Maria Teresa De Saracho (9th Circuit)
Folder 8: 99-15534: Kenneth Harris v. State of California, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 9: 99-16238/00-15341: Barry Chan, et al. v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 10: 99-16239: Boston Mutual Insurance, etc. v. Robert Murphree, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 11: 99-16381/99-17037: Stonelight Tile Inc., etc., et al. v. Bay Area Air Quality Management District, etc. (9th Circuit)
Folder 12: 99-16672: Vincent Allegrezza, et al. v. James Gomez, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 13: 99-17188: Richard Deorle v. Greg Rutherford, etc., et al. (9th Circuit) (1 of 2)
Folder 14: 99-17188: Richard Deorle v. Greg Rutherford, etc., et al. (9th Circuit) (2 of 2)
Folder 15: 99-17266: Archie Arberry v. Hilton Hotels Corporation (9th Circuit)
Folder 16: 99-50097: USA v. Clara Sichinga (9th Circuit)
Folder 17: 99-50202/99-50520: USA v. Miles Nelson, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 18: 99-50636: USA v. Carlos Martinez-Rodriguez (9th Circuit)
Folder 19: 99-50696: USA v. Jorge Esponda-Ventura (9th Circuit)
Folder 20: 99-50713/99-50721/99-50722: USA v. Celeste Arnold, et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 21: 99-50799: USA v. Charles Cook (9th Circuit)
Folder 22: 99-50805: USA v. Juan Gutierrez-Herrera (9th Circuit)
Folder 23: 99-55227: Michael Walczak, Dr., et al. v. EPL Prolong, Inc., etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 24: 99-55282: Carmelo Rodriguez v. A. Alexander, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 25: 99-55517: Rudolph Swasey v. R. Gile, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 26: 99-55875: National Enterprise, Inc., etc. v. Joseph-Burnham Partnership, etc., et al. (9th Circuit)
Folder 27: 99-56891: Ardeshir Javaheri v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, etc. (9th Circuit)

Box 126

Folder 1: 99-70322: Tigran Ekimian, et al. v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 2: 99-70481: Dora Valencia-De-Fajardo v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 3: 99-70493: Joaquina Pimental-Aguirre, etc. v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 4: 99-70523: Lilian Orellana, et al. v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 5: 99-71471: Vrej Khacherian, et al. v. Immigration and Naturalization Service (9th Circuit)
Folder 6: 99-4232: USA v. Paul Descally, etc. (11th Circuit)
Folder 7: 99-10789: Cathleen Murray, et al. v. Anita Bock, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 8: 99-10801: Richard Rinaldo, etc. v. G. Corbett, etc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 9: 99-10856: Shirley Burton v. Robert Neumann, etc. (11th Circuit)
Folder 10: 99-11009: National Partnership Investment Corp., etc., et al. v. National Housing Development Corporation, etc. (11th Circuit)
Folder 11: 99-11454: Maurice Parris v. The Miami Herald Publishing Company (11th Circuit)
Folder 12: 99-11767: Future Technology Today, Inc., etc. v. OSF Healthcare Systems, etc. (11th Circuit)
Folder 13: 99-12461: Maria Veiga, et al. v. Barnett Bank of South Florida, etc. (11th Circuit)
Folder 14: 99-12837: Maurice Young v. Secretary for the Department of Corrections (11th Circuit)
Folder 15: 99-14034: Tutor Time Child Care Systems, Inc., et al. v. Franks Investment Group, Inc., et al. (11th Circuit)
Folder 16: 99-14176: USA v. Dagoberto Cordero, et al. (11th Circuit)

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